Electric outlet socket



NOV. 15, PRQPP ELECTRIC OUTLET SOCKET Filed Sept. 1. 1927 full PatentedNov. 15, 1932 mural) STATES PAT T OFFICE LOUIS PROPP, OF NEW YORK, N.Y'., ASSIGNOR TO THE M. PROP? CO. INC., OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF YORK V g ELECTRIC OUTLET sooxn'r This inventionrelates to electrical'outlet fittings and is directed to the provisionof a utility tapping device for connecting a branch circuit, as, forexample, an electric appliance or decorative lighting outfit, inparallel with feed conductor wires of a port-. able service line. 7

Among the objects of this invention is genbe exemplified in theconstruction hereinQ after described, and of which thescope ofapplication will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the variouspossible illustrative embodiments of this invention, I

Figs. 1 and 2 are sideand front elevational views respectively of autility tap fitting embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the improved fitting showing the coverportion separated from the base to expose the interior construction;

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken on 1line H and 5-5respectively'in Fig. 2; anc

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the current carrying members.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a utility tap fittingembodying the invention, shown applied to feed conductor wires 11 whichextend from a suitable electric power source (not shown). One or more ofsaid fittings may be attached along the feed wires 11 at any desiredpoint to provide plugging means for detachably connecting in parallel ateach fitting the usual capthereinto the spring contact terminal 14a ofplug terminating a cuit- (not shown). I

The fitting 10 here shown comprises a cylin'-' drical base 12and cover13, both preferably molded from suitable insulating material, and spacedcurrent carrying members 14 formed of spring sheet metal, secured toproject upwardly from the top side 12a. of said base portion, and to'extendinto passage 113a provided in said cover. a

, As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, a boss 12?) projects upwardly from said topside 12a and axially thereof, said boss serving to separate the currentcarrying members 14 and'also to brace the fitting'structureas willhereinafter more fully appear. i 1

The cover is recessedto provide a chamber 136 into which the bos's l2b,together with the anchored ends of the current-carrying members 14, andportions of the feed wires 11 connecting with said members is received,the end periphery of'the annular chamber wall 1301 being adapted toseaton a shoulder 12c extending'around the rim of the top side 12a foraligning the base and cover. The passages 13a extend through the bottomwall 136 of the chamber to the top side 13/ of thecover. Each passage13a has extending portable or branch 'cira current carrying member. Saidpassage provides a socket to receive a contact blade of-acap-plug (notshown) inserted into said passage for engaging said terminalin the wellunderstood manner.

The current carrying members 14: may be rigidly fastened to the base 12in any suitable manner, as by means of a screw '15 passing through aperforation l lcprovidedin a foot extension 14?) of said member. Eachofsaid current carrying members 14 comprises a spring contact terminalla upstanding therefrom" and extending substantially at rightanglesthereto. The terminal 14a is folded back on itself so that the'bight 14gof the folded portion provides a smooth means-to guide a contact bladeofa cap-plug into-engagement with said terminal, said bight'alsoassisting in forming the latter into a resilient structure. 1 V Toprovide suitable means on member 14;

to engage a bared portion 11a of the conductor wire 11, the footextension 146 may be made wider than the terminal 14a, the portions ofsaid extension projecting beyond the sides of the terminal being cutfrom extension 14?) and bent to form the spring clips 14f. Thus, whenthese clips are forced down against the bared wire 11a, which haspreviously been extended along the foot extension 141) and insertedunder the spring clip 14;, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it is'held firmlyin position, making positive electrical contact with member 14.

For mounting the fitting 10 on a support S, a fastening wood screw 16may be passed through aligned openings 12c and 13 through said base andcover respectively, said openings preferably being axial of said parts.It will be seen that said'screw acts simultaneously to hold the base andcover together and to retain the fitting on the support. The cover13.1nay be countersunk at 13g to receive the head 16aof the wood screw.

'l/V here the fitting 10 is applied to a portable circuit, such as aChristmas tree lighting outfit, a machine screw and nut (not shown) maybe used in place of the wood screw 16. In this case it is desirable tocountersink the base portion 12 as at 12d for receiving the nut of themachine screw so that 7 no parts of the fastening means project beyondthe surface of the fitting.

In orderto prevent injury to the cover and base when tightening saidfastening screw, the boss 12?) is extended to abut the bottom wall 136of the chamber so as to form a spacing bracer for reinforcing thefitting structure as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Diametrically opposed'cut away portions 1% are provided at the bottom ofthe cover through which the feed wiresll pass in and out of the chamber13?). The latter is preferably made large enough to house knots 11b tiedon said'feed wires and said knots are adapted to engage the rim edges ofsaid cut away portions to provide a strain relief for the connection ofthe feed wire 11 with the members 14.

From the above description and the draw ing, it is apparent that theinstallation of the improved fitting 10 is a very simple matter. WViththe current carrying members 14 secured ,to the base 12 and cover 13dismounted from the base, the feed wires 11, which have previously beenprepared with'the bared portion 11a and knots 116 at a point where it isdesired to apply the fitting, are connected to said members by slippingthe bared wire portion 11a under the clips 14) to extend along the footextension 14b as shown in Fig. 3. The cover 13 is then mounted on thebase portion 12 and the fastening screw 16 applied to retain the fittingparts assembled, ready for use as an outlet adapted to connect withstrap-plug terminating in a branch circuit,

in the well understood manner. The wires 11 are here shown as comprisingparts of a single duplex conductor cable, but it is to be understoodthat the fitting shown may be used with equal facility in connectionwith two wires 11, not bound into a single cable.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the. conditions of practical use. i

As various possibleembodiments might "be made-of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood thatall matter herein setforth or shownin theaccompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. a

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. Anelectric fitting, having an insulating base, acurrent carrying member comprising a spring contact terminal and a footextension, said extension being bent to retain the terminal in anupstanding position on said base, means for fixingsaid' extension tosaid base and spaced spring clips on opposite sidesof said extensionadapted to engage a conductor wire. 1 '2. In combination with anelectric fitting having an insulating base, a current carrying memberanchored by one end secured to the base, the other end being bent toupstand from said base and'serving as a spring terminal, spaced edgesofthe anchored end extending beyond said terminal being cut and bent toform spring clips adapted to engageand hold a conductor wire. I

3. An electric fitting of the character de scribed comprising a bodyhaving an insulating base, .a cover seated on said base, and a one-piececurrent carrying member Within said body, said member comprising afootextension means for securing said extension to said base, a springcont-act terminal extending from said base and spaced spring clips onopposite sides of said extension adapted to engage and hold a conductorwire, said cover having a passage into which said contact extends, andaligned openings to permit conductor wires to extend into said body.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- LOUIS PROPP.

